Man drought hits Pacific

Fairfax Media

MAN DROUGHT: Pacific women in New Zealand are facing a shortage of men.

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Polynesian women looking for a partner in New Zealand appear to be facing a "man drought".

But a Pacific conference in Auckland was told that it is far from clear whether there is a shortage of men, or just that Pacific Island men do not fill in census papers.

Paul Callister, of Victoria University Institute of Policy Studies, and Robert Didham, of Statistics New Zealand, gave an overview of the Pacific population in New Zealand, including the possibility of a man drought.

They said it was a "misleading name" but it hinted at important underlying issues.

In the past, there have always been more boys than girls under the age of 20, but this has changed.

For Pacific Islanders between the ages of 25 and 29 in New Zealand, there are now 12 per cent more women than men.

In the 20-to-49 range there are 11 per cent more Samoan women than men and 18 per cent more Cook Island women than men.

Only Tongan women are spoilt for choice – there are 5 per cent more men.

- © Fairfax NZ News